Missouri Football: 5 takeaways from win over Abilene Christian
By Austyn Black
For Missouri football, it was supposed to be a dominating performance versus FCS opponent Abilene Christian to close out non-conference play.
That wasn’t quite the case.
Despite the 34-17 victory, there is some cause for concern going forward for the Tigers.
Here are my takeaways from the win.
1. Missouri football’s Harrison Mevis is human, after all
Harrison Mevis, affectionately known as the “Thiccerkicker,” was wide left on a 52-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter. On his next attempt in the fourth quarter, he missed wide Ieft on a 39-yard try — the first time in his collegiate career that he’s missed multiple field goals in the same game. The preseason All-American would put all worries to bed, calmly drilling a 52-yard field goal between the uprights on his final attempt of the game to extend Missouri’s lead to 24.
2. Luther Burden III and Dominic Lovett had big days
The East St. Louis High School products each scored long touchdowns in the first quarter. Luther Burden III took a punt back 78-yard for a touchdown to put Missouri on the board. Despite missing a bit of action in the second quarter, Burden finished with six receptions and 177 all-purpose yards. Good things can happen when the coaching staff makes it a weekly priority to get him more integrated into the offense and as a special teams returner.
Dominic Lovett hauled in a pass from Brady Cook for a 79-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 14-3. Lovett would have the best game of his Tigers career with seven receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns — the first 100-yard receiving game by a Tigers receiver since Keke Chism did so in December 2020 against Arkansas.